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‘It’s kind of a melting pot’: how one US city transformed a highway into a leafy oasis
Lancaster, California, turned nine blocks of a former stretch of Highway 14 into a tree-lined, walkable boulevard in 2010. The project created a shared city-centre space with shops and cultural venues, and residents say it has encouraged people to spend time together and made the area more welcoming.
The city invested $11.5m in the redesign, replacing three central lanes of the five-lane road with tree-lined public spaces. Within four years, the project had generated more than $270m in economic output, attracted $130m in investment and helped create hundreds of jobs and housing units, according to the city. The BLVD now has 250 public and private enterprises, while a business association and ambassador programme help care for and promote the district.
In short
- Lancaster replaced part of a highway with a walkable, tree-lined boulevard.
- The $11.5m project generated more than $270m in economic output within four years.
- Residents say the BLVD has become a place to meet and spend time.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters would argue that replacing excess road space with trees, walking areas and places to gather has made the city centre more welcoming and useful to residents, while giving local shops and cultural venues room to thrive. They would also point to the reported investment, jobs and business growth as evidence that public spending can strengthen a district as well as improve its streets.
The case against
Sceptics could argue that the reported economic gains do not by themselves show how much was caused by the redesign, or whether the benefits reached residents and businesses across the city. They might also question whether the $11.5m public investment and ongoing upkeep were the best use of funds, and whether reducing road capacity created costs or inconvenience for people who rely on driving.
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